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Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old mathematics student and far-right activist, died on Saturday, February 14, 2026, two days after being severely beaten in Lyon, France, following clashes between nationalist and anti-fascist groups. A murder investigation has been opened, French state prosecutor Thierry Dran announced Monday, citing fatal damage to Deranque’s skull and brain.

The attack occurred after Deranque supported a protest by the hard-right feminist collective Némésis against a visit by left-wing politician Rima Hassan to Lyon’s Institute of Political Studies (IEP), also known as Sciences-Po. Mobile phone footage shows a confrontation where Deranque and two other nationalist activists were cornered and attacked by a larger group. According to Dran, Deranque was kicked and punched by “at least six” individuals.

Nine individuals were initially arrested in connection with the killing, according to reports late Tuesday. Eleven suspects are now in custody, including an aide to a member of parliament from Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s La France Insoumise (LFI) party, according to The Guardian.

The incident has ignited political tensions across France, with ministers from President Macron’s center-right government directly blaming “far-left” militants for Deranque’s death. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the attack as a “mob-killing,” suggesting the perpetrators did not intend a fatal outcome. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin stated unequivocally, “This proves the far-left that killed him. Of that there is no question.”

Deranque was described as an integralist Catholic drawn to the idea of “self-defense,” embodying a new generation of far-right activists. He had been involved in previous confrontations with left-wing groups. The anti-immigration Némésis collective stated that Deranque was present to protect its members during the protest and was subsequently assaulted by anti-fascist activists.

As of Thursday, February 19, 2026, a French court brought homicide charges against two suspects in the case, according to France24. Investigations are ongoing to identify all those involved, but no further arrests have been publicly announced.

The death of Quentin Deranque has prompted rallies and demonstrations across France, with right-wing groups calling for justice and condemning what they describe as politically motivated violence. The incident is occurring in the lead-up to municipal elections and ahead of the 2027 presidential race, where the far-right National Rally (RN) is predicted to gain significant ground.

Passengers on the T48 train from Qiqihar, in Heilongjiang Province, to Beijing received an unexpected and festive surprise during the Spring Festival holiday: a performance by the G1-Edu2 bionic robot, developed by Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics. The dancing robot, fresh off its debut at China’s annual Spring Festival Gala, captivated travelers and underscored China’s growing advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence.

The appearance of the Unitree robot on the train is part of a broader effort by China to showcase its technological capabilities to the public, particularly in the field of humanoid robotics. This year’s Spring Festival Gala, viewed by hundreds of millions, served as a platform for several robotics companies, including Unitree, Galbot, Noetix and MagicLab, to demonstrate their latest innovations. The gala marked a shift from simply featuring robots as background elements to integrating them directly into the entertainment, with performances ranging from martial arts to comedy sketches.

Unitree Robotics gained significant attention at the Gala with a martial arts demonstration featuring over a dozen of its humanoids performing synchronized routines, including complex sequences imitating “drunken boxing.” This showcased the company’s progress in multi-robot coordination and balance recovery, a critical aspect of humanoid robot development. The company is currently competing with Shanghai-based AgiBot for the title of global shipment leader in the humanoid robotics market, having “defended” its position this past year, according to Unitree.

The G1-Edu2 model, seen on the T48 train, is part of a growing segment of entry-level humanoids designed for educational and home use. Noetix Robotics’ “Bumi” humanoid, priced at under $1,400 (9,998 yuan), also featured prominently in the Gala, appearing in a comedy sketch emphasizing its role as a family companion. This affordability is key to expanding the accessibility of humanoid robots beyond industrial applications.

The Spring Festival Gala performance wasn’t limited to choreographed routines. Unitree’s G1 and H2 robots performed what is being described as the world’s first fully autonomous humanoid kung fu routine, with 679 million viewers witnessing the demonstration on February 17, 2026. The robots executed complex maneuvers, including backflips, weapon handling, and a 7.5-rotation Airflare spin, all without teleoperation or pre-programmed dance moves, according to a RoboZaps report. The robots also achieved 3-meter trampoline somersaults and high-speed running up to 3.5 meters per second.

The H2 models added a theatrical element to the performance, appearing in Monkey King armor and riding Unitree’s B2W quadruped robot dogs, referencing the legendary Chinese folk hero Sun Wukong. This integration of cultural references highlights the effort to connect with the domestic audience and showcase the robots within a familiar context.

The Unitree G1 robot, the star of the Gala performance, represents the company’s focus on affordable humanoid robotics. The company plans to produce 20,000 units in 2026, signaling a significant scale-up in production capacity. This increased output is expected to have a ripple effect throughout the robotics industry, potentially driving down costs and accelerating adoption.

The display of these robots during the Spring Festival, both on the Gala and on public transportation like the T48 train, reflects China’s strategic push to integrate these technologies into everyday life and foster public acceptance. This initiative aligns with Beijing’s broader ambitions to develop into a global leader in artificial intelligence and robotics. The success of Unitree and other Chinese robotics companies will likely influence the competitive landscape in the global robotics market, particularly as companies like Tesla also invest heavily in humanoid robot development, as CNBC reported.

Looking ahead, the continued development and deployment of humanoid robots in China will be closely watched by the international community. The focus will be on assessing the impact of these technologies on various sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, and education, as well as the ethical and societal implications of their widespread adoption. The next key event will likely be tracking Unitree’s production and shipment numbers throughout 2026 to gauge the success of its scaling efforts.

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